BJP takes on governor in Bangalore

The ruling BJP in Karnataka on Monday renewed its confrontation with governor HR Bhardwaj by staging a demonstration in Bangalore, after the latter recommended President's rule in the state. HT reports.

The ruling BJP in Karnataka on Monday renewed its confrontation with governor HR Bhardwaj by staging a demonstration in Bangalore, after the latter recommended President's rule in the state.

The earlier round of standoff played itself out in October 2010, when 11 BJP MLAs and five independents withdrew support to the BS Yeddyurappa government.

However, they have now come round to supporting the state government. Including the five independents, the BJP’s current strength is 121 (leaving the speaker out) in the 226-member house (one seat is vacant now, bringing the effective strength to 225).

Yeddyurappa said, "We have the majority and all our legislators and parliamentarians will be in New Delhi. We will parade all our legislators to prove the majority if the President agrees to it."

Slamming the governor for "recommending the dismissal of my government in spite of having a majority", the chief minister said his (Bhardwaj's) "action has boosted the image of the BJP".

On Monday senior party leaders staged a 'satyagraha' against Bhardwaj's move of recommending keeping the assembly in suspended animation, apart from suggesting President's Rule.

Former BJP president Venkaiah Naidu told reporters, "It is a murder of democracy. The governor wants to rule the state by the backdoor."

Meanwhile, the cabinet decided to convene the assembly's session from June 2. Earlier Bhardwaj had turned down a request to start the session from May 16.

"The cabinet decided to hold the assembly session for 10 days from June 2 and the governor has been intimated," law minister S Suresh Kumar told reporters in Bangalore.